DIPHTHERINUM. – The Materia Medica of the Nosodes. By Henry Clay ALLEN, M. D. – Presented and arranged by Dr Robert Séror

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The Materia
Medica of the Nosodes.
By Henry Clay ALLEN, M. D.
Presented and arranged by Dr Robert Séror.

DIPHTHERINUM : AN INVOLUNTARY PROVING.

By J. E. FRASH, M. D., METAMORE, OHIO.

A girl nine years of age having been exposed, Nov.

13,
to malignant diphtheria received Diphtherinum 1m.
(Skinner)
three times daily for eleven days, as a prophylactic, developing
chilliness, high temperature, red face.

She complained of being tired and cold, severe pain on swallowing
and on the

12th
day the tonsils and posterior walls of the pharynx were covered with
dirty gray, yellowish membrane, corrugated vertically, like the
surface of a wash-board turned up.

Thursday, Nov.

14,
1907,
began powders, three each day for eight days, then two daily for two
days.

Nov.

23,
complained of being tired, sat down to rest three times.

Nov.

24,
would lie down because tired, but after a while felt playful.

Nov.

25,
temperature 103,
pulse 148,
full, with throbbing of carotids, eyes bright, face flushed, with
center of cheeks almost purple.

Throat dark red, no membrane

;
but on posterior wall of throat, yellow, dirty cream color with dry
membrane in folds, up and down.

Monday night talks in sleep, with eyes wide open.

Wanted imaginary objects taken from room, and to “make those
people get away.”

Sat up and picked among bed-clothes for strap for her school books.

Nov.

26,
temperature 101.2,
pulse 116,
membrane lighter and moist, thin in middle of throat.

Nov.

27,
temperature 99.2,
pulse 100.

Throat clearing from middle.

Jerking of single limb, or shoulder, or finger.

Nov.

28,
temperature 101.2,
pulse 116.

Desired to have mother hold her hand .

Tongue whitish, with exceedingly red tip

(moist).

Nov.

29,
temperature 101.2,
pulse 116,
breath offensive.

Nov.

30,
temperature 99.4,
pulse 100.

Membrane white, and showing more to front.

Clearing from center of posterior wall of throat.

Tongue coated whitish, with red papillae

;
very red tip, with a dark red spot in center of red tip.

Slept well last night, until

4
A. M., then was restless and wakeful ;
moved and changed position, moved arms and legs often, snored and
fan-like motion of ala nasi.

Skin seemed dry, forehead moist along edge of hair, when first
falling asleep.

Generalities

Fluctuating temperature, very little pain, membrane in vertical
folds on posterior wall of throat, when the membrane first appeared,
spreading forward as far as border of the tonsils, and also began to
fade and disappear first from center of posterior pharynx.

In center of the tip of tongue was a very dark red spot, also very
dark red or purple spot in centre of very red cheeks.

The membrane from a case of malignant diphtheria, triturated with
milk sugar to the

6
th centesimal, then potentized by Swan.

The diphtheritic virus, or diphtheria toxin, from which the serum
anti-toxin is made. These potencies have been very effective, not only
in malignant diphtheria but in many cases of post-diphtheritic
paralysis and kindred nervous affections following the use of
anti-toxin.

Diphtherinum.

Diphtherinum has made many brilliant cures of diphtheria and
post-diphtheritic affections to its credit, yet to receive its place
among the remedies of the homeopathic Materia Medica it must pass the
crucial test that all others have encountered, Viz., a careful and
thorough proving of the dynamic potency on the healthy.

Thus far, like its great congener Antitoxin, its use has been
clinical and empirical, the distinctive difference being that its
action has been dynamic, while that of antitoxin is Chemico-catalytic.

Yet the empirical use of Von Behring’s Antitoxin is a great advance
on the former empirical methods of the profession and has proved a
blessing to humanity.

The indications here given are chiefly clinical and are tentatively
held until verified or disproved by provings.

Characteristics

.-

Especially adapted to the strumous diathesis

;
scrofulous, psoric or tuberculous persons, prone to catarrhal
affections of throat and respiratory mucous membranes.

Patients with weak or exhausted vitality hence are extremely
susceptible to the diphtheritic virus

;
when the attack from the onset tends to malignancy (Lac
c., Mer. cy.).

Painless diphtheria

;
symptoms almost or entirely objective ;
patient too weak, apathetic or too prostrated to complain ;
sopor or stupor, but easily aroused when spoken to (Bap.,
Sulph.).

Dark red swelling of tonsils and palatine arches

;
parotid and cervical glands greatly swollen ;
breath and discharges from throat, nose and mouth very offensive ;
tongue swollen, very red, little coating.

Diphtheritic membrane, thick, dark gray or brownish black

;
temperature low or subnormal, pulse weak and rapid, extremities cold
and marked debility ;
patient lies in a semi-stupid condition ;
eyes dull, besotted (Apis,
Bap.).

Epistaxis or profound prostration from very onset of attack

(Ail.,
Apis, Carb. ac.)
;
collapse almost at very beginning (Crot.,
Mer. cy.)
;
pulse weak, rapid and vital reaction very low.

Swallows without pain, but fluids are vomited or returned by the
nose

;
breath horribly offensive.

When the patient from the first seems doomed, and

the
most carefully selected remedies fail to relieve or permanently
improve.

Laryngeal diphtheria, after Chlor., Kali bi. or Lac c.

Post diphtheritic paralysis-especially where Antitoxin has been
used

;
many cases cured — after Caust., Gels., Nux, Secale and the best
selected remedies have failed.

In post-diphtheritic paralysis and spinal affections following
diphtheria many brilliant cures have been effected by the potencies.

The same indications for its use in all forms of diphtheria that
are used when Antitoxin is exhibited.

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Copyright
© Robert Séror 2005